A powerful AI PC, but problems persist with Windows on Arm

It’s only been four months since we tested the latest Intel version of the XPS 13, but Dell has now released a model designed for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative. It runs on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, making it an Arm-based laptop like the recent Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. But with this mobile-focused hardware comes new expectations: better battery efficiency than Intel’s x86 chips, as well as significantly faster AI capabilities thanks to its more powerful NPU (neural processing unit). However, as with all Arm-based Windows systems, there’s also the potential for issues with older x86 apps, which can run slowly thanks to emulation or simply fail to launch at all.

It’s certainly a chaotic time for the PC industry, as chipmakers and PC companies prepare for an uncertain AI-driven future. For consumers, it just means confusion. That’s part of the reason Microsoft launched the Copilot+ program, as it requires system makers to include at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (tera-ops per second) of AI performance. If it says Copilot+ on the box, it means it should be a decent PC.

So, does this XPS 13 live up to the Copilot+ brand? In most cases, it does. And it’s fascinating to see how it stacks up against the current Intel version of the same product.

Dell

The XPS 13 is a capable and stylish Copilot+ PC, but it’s still slower than the Intel model at times and can’t run some games and apps. Battery life is also surprisingly average.

Benefits

• Faster than Intel XPS 13 in some tests
• The 45TOPS NPU is better equipped for future AI features
• Great design
• Excellent thin bezel display

Disadvantages

• Windows on Arm still runs some apps slowly and fails to launch some games
• Current AI features are pretty average
• Average battery life
• Controversial touchpad and capacitive function buttons

$1,299 at Dell

What’s new on the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

The biggest addition to this XPS 13, and the main reason we’re reviewing it, is the Snapdragon X Elite chip. Everything else about this XPS 13 is identical to the previous iteration. There’s its surprisingly minimalist design, with an “invisible” touchpad that blends into the palm rest, as well as wide-capped keys that extend from edge to edge. And don’t forget the capacitive function row, which remains a puzzling feature.

If you want to know more about the XPS 13’s design, check out my previous review . In short, it’s a machine that essentially prioritizes looks over usability. It’s light, sturdy, and radically different from every other laptop on the market. But to achieve that, Dell made the touchpad harder to use (it’s not as accurate as Apple’s MacBooks or Microsoft’s Surface PCs), and its capacitive touchpad is just plain annoying.

As for the XPS 13’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, it has 12 cores running at up to 3.4GHz, with a dual-core boost reaching 4GHz. By comparison, the Intel variant’s Core Ultra 7 155H chip offers 16 cores and reaches up to 4.8GHz. Qualcomm has the advantage of having a more powerful 45-TOPS NPU, compared to Intel’s 10-TOPS, but I didn’t find that to make a huge difference with the few AI features in Windows 11 today. As the benchmarks below show, higher chip counts don’t always lead to better performance.

What are the positive points of the XPS 13 Copilot+?

In short, this XPS 13 delivers most of the qualities you’d expect from a modern ultraportable, while also preparing you for a potential future with more AI-powered apps and features. It’s attractive, fast (for most apps, anyway), and sturdy. It’s also the perfect system if you want to stand out a bit, as it’s unlike any other laptop on the market.

• It runs most productivity apps well and had no trouble multitasking when I had dozens of tabs open on Chrome and Edge, while video conferencing in Zoom and chatting with colleagues on Slack.

• In most performance tests like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, this XPS 13 easily outperformed its Intel sibling by several thousand points.

• Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite 45 TOPS NPU processor makes the Copilot+ XPS 13 more future-proof than the current Intel model.

• The Dell XPS 13’s keyboard is generously wide and offers excellent feedback. It will take a little getting used to, though, as the spacing is different from most other laptops.

• I tested the XPS 13’s base 1080p+ non-touch display, and while it wasn’t as glorious as the OLED-equipped XPS devices I’ve seen, it still looked sharp and colorful.

• As always, Dell’s thin InfinityEdge bezels also help make the display stand out even more.

What’s the downside of the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

If you factor in most of the drawbacks of the Intel version of the XPS 13, plus the issues that still plague Arm-based Windows devices like the Surface Pro, you get the big problems with the XPS 13 Copilot+ PC.

• Some emulated x86 applications like Evernote experience noticeable slowdowns. I often encountered slowdowns when switching between notes, as well as when scrolling through long documents.

• The AI ​​features built into Paint and Photos are mostly useless, and it’s still unclear when the long-awaited reminder feature will arrive for general users.

• We also don’t know when we can expect more AI features in the operating system, or when other developers will start releasing more AI features in their apps.

• Battery life is average compared to most Windows PCs and surprisingly short for an Arm-based system. It clocked in at seven hours and 48 minutes in the PCMark 10 Applications battery test, which is well below the 13 hours and 15 minutes achieved by the Intel XPS 13 in the PCMark Modern Office test. Microsoft’s Surface Pro Copilot+, meanwhile, lasted 12 hours and 15 minutes in the Applications test.

• Games like Fortnite, Destiny 2 And League of Legends will not work on the XPS 13, as their anti-cheat software is not compatible with Arm chips.

• I’m still not a fan of the XPS 13’s invisible touchpad. It’s sometimes hard to locate, and the swipe isn’t as smooth as on Apple’s MacBook Air.

• The XPS 13 desperately needs more than two USB-C ports, otherwise many users will be forced to live with a dongle.

• The capacitive function always disappears in direct sunlight and it is impossible to use it without looking at it directly. After all, it is difficult to create touch typing memory without physical keys.

Should you buy the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

The XPS 13 typically starts at $1,300 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. As of this writing, it’s currently on sale for $999, but it’s unclear how long that discount will last. The Intel model also starts at $1,300 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but you’ll have to add an extra $100 to get 16GB of memory. (Intel’s XPS 13 was recently discounted to $1,200, so don’t be surprised if you see Dell’s prices fluctuate frequently.)

If you need a powerful 13-inch laptop right now, the XPS 13 Copilot+ is a solid choice. Just be wary of the drawbacks and potential software issues I mentioned above. If you’re on the fence, though, it might be worth waiting until Dell refreshes the XPS 13 again with Intel’s new Lunar Lake processor. It’s expected to arrive this fall, and it’ll feature an even faster NPU than the Snapdragon X Elite. And since it’s an x86 chip, the XPS 13 Lunar Lake won’t need to emulate older software and will also be able to run games like Fortnite.